Tattoo Aftercare

  1. DO NOT LISTEN to aftercare suggestions from anyone other than your tattoo artist, since they are not responsible for your tattoo!

  2. REMOVE BANDAGE after 2-4 hours.

  3. WASH HANDS with warm soapy water, then GENTLY CLEAN ointment and fluids off of your tattoo. DO NOT SCRUB the area with wash cloths, loofahs, or body wash with exfoliating beads. DO NOT SHAVE or use any other hair removal methods, and avoid fake tan treatments while tattoo is healing. DO NOT USE BAR SOAPS because they can transfer bacteria to the tattoo.

  4. ICE YOUR TATTOO with a clean, sealed bag indirectly ON AND OFF every 15 minutes until the tattoo has been iced for ONE HOUR. Continuation of ice is reasonable for up to 3 days only as needed for pain and swelling.

  5. The FIRST NIGHT, WASH and AIR DRY your tattoo, and COVER WITH PLASTIC WRAP before bed to prevent sticking to the sheets. This is the ONLY acceptable time to re-cover your tattoo.

  6. The FOLLOWING MORNING, WASH with unscented antibacterial soap (like Dial Gold), AIR DRY, then start to APPLY FRAGRANCE FREE LOTION WITHOUT ALOE (such as Lubriderm or Palmer’s pure Cocoa Butter). DO NOT USE oils, Vitamin E, Vasoline, salves, Neosporin, thick petroleum based products, sunscreen, misleading “tattoo aftercare” products, or anything other than the above-stated lotion.

  7. REPEAT Step Six 2-3 times daily for 2-4 weeks.

  8. The tattoo will PEEL and FLAKE and ITCH but shouldn't scab. DO NOT PICK, RUB, OR SCRATCH your tattoo! DO NOT TOUCH with dirty hands. DO NOT let others touch the area. DO NOT wear tight or binding clothing, jewelry, accessories, or sporting gear over the tattoo. And DO NOT RE-BANDAGE the tattoo!

  9. DO NOT EXPOSE your tattoo to direct sunlight or tanning beds. DO NOT SOAK OR ENTER into baths, hot tubs, saunas, pools, lakes, oceans, or any body of water for 2-3 weeks. REGULAR SHOWERS are suggested, avoid baths. YOUR TATTOO SHOULD BE AIR-DRIED or PATTED DRY with a CLEAN DISPOSABLE towel to remove moisture from area.‍

  10. ‍BE CAREFUL and AVOID DIRECT CONTACT with gym equipment, pets, children, dirty jobs, etc. while healing. The tattoo can become an entry point for bacterial and fungal infections from contact with germs and sweat. Treat it with the same delicate touch as any other open wound.

**If using a second-skin product such as DermShield or Saniderm, only leave the bandage on for up to one week. If it begins to pool ink or leak, remove the bandage early. If your skin around the bandage flushes red or breaks out, then you may be allergic to the adhesive and must remove the bandage immediately! Gently remove under running water (do not submerge), then wash and follow above aftercare instructions.